Hood lift mechanisms utilizing active materials and methods of use

Abstract

A hood lift mechanism for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle hood includes a vehicle hood; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle hood, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an increased clearance distance between the vehicle hood and an underlying component.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 430,794 filed on May 9, 2006, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 864,724 filed on Jun. 4, 2004, incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND [0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a hood lift mechanism for use in an automotive vehicle, wherein the hood lift mechanism includes the use of active materials. Also disclosed is control logic for reversibly and selectively activating the active material based hood lift mechanism. [0003] Numerous motor vehicles employ a hingeable hood disposed in a region between the passenger compartment and the forward bumper of the motor vehicle, or between the passenger compartment and the rearward bumper of the motor vehicle. The hingeable hood provides a mechanism for accessing the underlying engine or storage compartment. The hingeable hood is typically formed of a relatively ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a dual chamber lifting apparatus for vehicles that can selectively lift and lower the hood. It includes a closure, a piston assembly, and a controller for activating the piston. The apparatus also has a valve that can selectively depressurize the upper chamber, causing the piston to rise and lift the hood. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a reliable and effective mechanism for lifting a vehicle closure, which can absorb energy during impact events and ensure safety during use.

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, hood deformation such as that which may occur upon impact of an object onto the hood, and thus the ability of the hood to absorb energy at appropriate force levels before bottoming out against hard objects beneath it, is somewhat limited by the contents of the compartment.

One drawback to such hood lifting mechanisms is that they tend to be irreversible (which makes them best suited for use only with crash and not with pre-crash sensors), so that such mechanisms will need to be replaced / repaired even if a collision does not in fact occur.

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